And still his Othrys with his fame is filled; But what did most his martial deeds adorn, (Though, since, he changed his sex,) a woman born.-- A novelty so strange, and full of fate, His listening audience asked him to relate. Achilles thus commends their common suit:-- O father, first for prudence in repute, Tell, with that eloquence so much thy own, What thou hast heard, or what of Cæneus known; What was he, whence his change of sex begun, What trophies, joined in wars with thee, he won? Who conquered him, and in what fatal strife The youth, without a wound, could lose his life?-- Neleides then:--Though tardy age, and time, Have shrunk my sinews, and decayed my prime; Though much I have forgotten of my store, Yet, not exhausted, I remember more. Of all that arms atchieved, or peace designed, That action still is fresher in my mind Than aught beside. If reverend age can give To faith a sanction, in my third I live. 'Twas in my second century, I surveyed Young Cænis, then a fair Thessalian maid. Cænis the bright was born to high command; A princess, and a native of thy land, Divine Achilles; every tongue proclaimed Her beauty, and her eyes all hearts inflamed. Peleus, thy sire, perhaps had sought her bed, Among the rest; but he had either led Thy mother then, or was by promise tied; But she to him, and all, alike her love denied. It was her fortune once, to take her way Along the sandy margin of the sea; The Power of Ocean viewed her as she passed, And, loved as soon as seen, by force embraced. So fame reports. Her virgin treasure seized, And his new joys the ravisher so pleased, That thus, transported, to the nymph he cried; Ask what thou wilt, no prayer shall be denied. This also fame relates; the haughty fair, Who not the rape even of a god could bear, This answer, proud, returned;--To mighty wrongs, A mighty recompence, of right, belongs. Give me no more to suffer such a shame; But change the woman for a better name; One gift for all.--She said, and, while she spoke, A stern, majestic, manly tone she took. A man she was; and, as the Godhead swore, To Cæneus turned, who Cænis was before. To this the lover adds, without request, No force of steel should violate his breast. Glad of the gift, the new-made warrior goes, And arms among the Greeks, and longs for equal foes. Now brave Pirithous, bold Ixion's son, The love of fair Hippodame had won. The cloud-begotten race,[32] half men, half beast, Invited, came to grace the nuptial feast. In a cool cave's recess the treat was made, Whose entrance trees with spreading boughs o'er-shade. They sat; and, summoned by the bridegroom, came, To mix with those, the Lapithæan name: Nor wanted I; the roofs with joy resound;